Intentional Growth

Father and son team Chris and Graham McConnell are the founders of Nth Round, a software platform that allows business owners and potential investors to find each other. Nth Round allows employees and outside investors to bid for shares in a company. The idea is that the platform simplifies the process of getting funding and liquidity for a business. Chris and Graham tell me how they created the blockchain system Nth Round is built upon. We discuss who benefits from this platform and why they felt it was needed in this current market. Nth Round strives to “level the playing field” for all parties involved and take the flow of capital away from private equity firms and smoke-filled back rooms. These guys are being hailed as game changers, tune in to hear why.

What you will learn:

Graham’s background in software and finance.

Chris’s background in business and private equity.

The problems the guys saw within the private equity world.

How Nth Round was developed to fight these problems.

How Nth Round works.

How companies come to an agreement on the value of their business.

The 3 target markets Nth Round appeals to.

How Nth Round equals the playing field for everyone involved.

How their system is different from private equity and M&A.

Why venture capitalists have mixed reactions to Nth Round.

The goals for the company moving forward.

How video is a great tool to keep business owners and investors in touch.

The FCC’s reaction to Nth Round.

Takeaways:

People are trying to fix the market. Private companies are the backbone of America and the system is broken. If you need liquidity or investment in your business don’t just settle for the first answer you get. If you know what you want, there is a way to get it, just use all the resources you can to do it.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative

Nth Round

About Graham:

Graham is an entrepreneur with strong passions in finance and technology, especially software development, cyber-security, and blockchain protocols. After stints at TA Instruments and Savana, Inc., Graham joined Relay Network, where he served as a product owner, managing priorities for a team of twelve software developers and test engineers. Drawn to finance, Graham then joined AJO Partners ($25B AUM), a top-tier quantitative investment firm, where he oversaw software development. Today Graham runs all aspects of NthRound operations: from product development to sales and marketing, to customer support.

About Chris:

Chris is a recognized technology entrepreneur and executive. He has extensive experience with blockchain programming, artificial intelligence, surface science, process control, and public and private finance. After starting at Dow Chemical, Chris co-founded CFM Technologies, a global semiconductor capital equipment manufacturer that grew to $80 million in sales and 400 employees. It went public in 1996 (NASDAQ: CFMT). Chris went on to form The Founders Group, and later Adondo Capital, a quantitative equity hedge fund based on computational linguistics. He holds eighteen US patents. For NthRound, Chris focuses on strategy and technology.

Father and son team Chris and Graham McConnell are the founders of Nth Round, a software platform that allows business owners and potential investors to find each other. Nth Round allows employees and outside investors to bid for shares in a company. The idea is that the platform simplifies the process of getting funding and liquidity for a business. Chris and Graham tell me how they created the blockchain system Nth Round is built upon. We discuss who benefits from this platform and why they felt it was needed in this current market. Nth Round strives to “level the playing field” for all parties involved and take the flow of capital away from private equity firms and smoke-filled back rooms. These guys are being hailed as game changers, tune in to hear why.

What you will learn:

Graham’s background in software and finance.

Chris’s background in business and private equity.

The problems the guys saw within the private equity world.

How Nth Round was developed to fight these problems.

How Nth Round works.

How companies come to an agreement on the value of their business.

The 3 target markets Nth Round appeals to.

How Nth Round equals the playing field for everyone involved.

How their system is different from private equity and M&A.

Why venture capitalists have mixed reactions to Nth Round.

The goals for the company moving forward.

How video is a great tool to keep business owners and investors in touch.

The FCC’s reaction to Nth Round.

Takeaways:

People are trying to fix the market. Private companies are the backbone of America and the system is broken. If you need liquidity or investment in your business don’t just settle for the first answer you get. If you know what you want, there is a way to get it, just use all the resources you can to do it.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative

Nth Round

About Graham:

Graham is an entrepreneur with strong passions in finance and technology, especially software development, cyber-security, and blockchain protocols. After stints at TA Instruments and Savana, Inc., Graham joined Relay Network, where he served as a product owner, managing priorities for a team of twelve software developers and test engineers. Drawn to finance, Graham then joined AJO Partners ($25B AUM), a top-tier quantitative investment firm, where he oversaw software development. Today Graham runs all aspects of NthRound operations: from product development to sales and marketing, to customer support.

About Chris:

Chris is a recognized technology entrepreneur and executive. He has extensive experience with blockchain programming, artificial intelligence, surface science, process control, and public and private finance. After starting at Dow Chemical, Chris co-founded CFM Technologies, a global semiconductor capital equipment manufacturer that grew to $80 million in sales and 400 employees. It went public in 1996 (NASDAQ: CFMT). Chris went on to form The Founders Group, and later Adondo Capital, a quantitative equity hedge fund based on computational linguistics. He holds eighteen US patents. For NthRound, Chris focuses on strategy and technology.

Peter Lehrman is the CEO of Axial, an online platform that connects business sellers and buyers to find the best merger and acquisition partnership possible. Peter comes from an entrepreneur family. He studied at Stanford and learned the ins and outs of M&A through the private equity industry. During his time in private equity, Peter saw a very inefficient process that inspired him to develop Axial. He shares how his platform closes information gaps for both sellers and buyers. We discuss the wealth of information business owners can utilize to be better prepared for the M&A process and how Axial promotes those resources.

What you will learn:

Peter’s time in business with his brother and early experience.

His time in private equity and what he learned.

The inefficiencies that Peter hoped to correct with Axial.

Who does Axial serve?

Peter’s opinion on the “Baby Boomer Exodus.”

The 2 major information gaps Axial tries to fill for their clients.

The importance of reputation in M&A transactions.

How a seller can find a serious buyer.

Axial’s commitment to educating their clients.

Selling a business cannot be delegated out to someone else.

The 3 drivers of business value.

Takeaways:

Use resources like GXP Collaborative and Axial to educate yourself on the selling process. You are the owner of your exit experience and the more homework you do the smoother the process.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative

Axial

Middle Market Review Peter’s email

About Peter:

Peter is CEO of Axial, responsible for driving the company’s vision to be the trusted platform where private companies connect with capital. Prior to Axial, Peter worked in private equity at SFW Capital Partners and was part of the founding team at Gerson Lehrman Group, where he helped build the company’s dominant global technology platform for on-demand business expertise. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and received his MBA from Stanford Business School.

Peter Lehrman is the CEO of Axial, an online platform that connects business sellers and buyers to find the best merger and acquisition partnership possible. Peter comes from an entrepreneur family. He studied at Stanford and learned the ins and outs of M&A through the private equity industry. During his time in private equity, Peter saw a very inefficient process that inspired him to develop Axial. He shares how his platform closes information gaps for both sellers and buyers. We discuss the wealth of information business owners can utilize to be better prepared for the M&A process and how Axial promotes those resources.

What you will learn:

Peter’s time in business with his brother and early experience.

His time in private equity and what he learned.

The inefficiencies that Peter hoped to correct with Axial.

Who does Axial serve?

Peter’s opinion on the “Baby Boomer Exodus.”

The 2 major information gaps Axial tries to fill for their clients.

The importance of reputation in M&A transactions.

How a seller can find a serious buyer.

Axial’s commitment to educating their clients.

Selling a business cannot be delegated out to someone else.

The 3 drivers of business value.

Takeaways:

Use resources like GXP Collaborative and Axial to educate yourself on the selling process. You are the owner of your exit experience and the more homework you do the smoother the process.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative

Axial

Middle Market Review Peter’s email

About Peter:

Peter is CEO of Axial, responsible for driving the company’s vision to be the trusted platform where private companies connect with capital. Prior to Axial, Peter worked in private equity at SFW Capital Partners and was part of the founding team at Gerson Lehrman Group, where he helped build the company’s dominant global technology platform for on-demand business expertise. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and received his MBA from Stanford Business School.

Ilan Jacobson is the Founding Partner & CEO of FirePower Capital. It has become the largest independent mergers and acquisitions firm in Canada. During today’s episode, Ilan tells me what he suspects will happen in the M&A market and why the current system is really overly complicated. The economy is going to be undergoing some major changes over the next few years. M&A and private equity firms are going to have to look at smaller businesses and deal with a totally different type of business owner. Ilan explains how these private equity firms are going to have to adapt and what you the business owner need to be aware of when considering the M&A and P.E. route.

What you will learn:

The beginnings of FirePower Capital and Ilan’s background in Venture Capital.

The importance of a healthy company ecosystem.

Why debt to equity is stupid.

How private growth capital is going to change the M&A market.

Why Ilan focuses on enterprise value.

The dumb ways to rationalize the burn of money.

Ilan’s market predictions for the private equity sector.

How the P.E. market will change.

How people can prepare for these changes.

3 tips to make your business marketable and valuable.

Takeaways:

If you are considering private equity and mergers and acquisitions for your business, use your common sense. Trust your gut and surround yourself with people who can help and guide you through the process.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative Ilan Jacobson on LinkedIn Ilan’s email

About Ilan:

Ilan Jacobson is the Founding Partner & CEO of FirePower Capital and has transformed the firm from a small 4-person family office into a 30+ strong investment banking and private capital powerhouse. Ilan leads FirePower Capital in all its endeavors, setting its strategic direction, providing top-level guidance on key transactions undertaken by the Investment Banking division, and assessing new direct investments for FirePower’s Private Capital funds. Under his leadership, FirePower invests in Canada’s entrepreneurs by financing their growth directly with private debt or equity and helps them complete their most critical transactions.

Ilan Jacobson is the Founding Partner & CEO of FirePower Capital. It has become the largest independent mergers and acquisitions firm in Canada. During today’s episode, Ilan tells me what he suspects will happen in the M&A market and why the current system is really overly complicated. The economy is going to be undergoing some major changes over the next few years. M&A and private equity firms are going to have to look at smaller businesses and deal with a totally different type of business owner. Ilan explains how these private equity firms are going to have to adapt and what you the business owner need to be aware of when considering the M&A and P.E. route.

What you will learn:

The beginnings of FirePower Capital and Ilan’s background in Venture Capital.

The importance of a healthy company ecosystem.

Why debt to equity is stupid.

How private growth capital is going to change the M&A market.

Why Ilan focuses on enterprise value.

The dumb ways to rationalize the burn of money.

Ilan’s market predictions for the private equity sector.

How the P.E. market will change.

How people can prepare for these changes.

3 tips to make your business marketable and valuable.

Takeaways:

If you are considering private equity and mergers and acquisitions for your business, use your common sense. Trust your gut and surround yourself with people who can help and guide you through the process.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative Ilan Jacobson on LinkedIn Ilan’s email

About Ilan:

Ilan Jacobson is the Founding Partner & CEO of FirePower Capital and has transformed the firm from a small 4-person family office into a 30+ strong investment banking and private capital powerhouse. Ilan leads FirePower Capital in all its endeavors, setting its strategic direction, providing top-level guidance on key transactions undertaken by the Investment Banking division, and assessing new direct investments for FirePower’s Private Capital funds. Under his leadership, FirePower invests in Canada’s entrepreneurs by financing their growth directly with private debt or equity and helps them complete their most critical transactions.

My guests today are Chris Shipferling and Jason Somerville both of Global Wired Advisors. Chris and Jason have a combined background in merger and acquisitions and digital marketing. Global Wired Advisors specializes in e-commerce businesses looking to diversify into traditional marketplaces. Chris and Jason tell me how they take their experience, that usually is used for huge, monstrous companies and make it accessible to the lower end of the multi-million level companies. They share some examples they have seen within their business and the opportunities that many businesses seem to be overlooking. Including traditional brick and mortar businesses making their brand available to the online market path.

What you will learn:

Chris and Jason’s backgrounds and meeting a need for their clients.

The more choices you offer, the more value you can provide a buyer.

How Global Wired Advisors is different from traditional M&A.

The hit and miss nature of the e-commerce space.

The change in thinking within the market regarding risk-pricing.

How the market, in general, is evolving.

The various strategies to diversify your business.

The 3 keys buyers look at when considering purchasing your business.

The importance of educating yourself before selling.

Jason and Chris’s process when they start with a new client.

Things you can do to prepare your business for diversification.

Takeaways:

If you are a brick and mortar business call someone like Quiet Light Brokerage, or Global Wired Advisors and discuss your options. The online space is a cheaper option that won't last for long. If you are on the flip side on the online e-commerce side then start taking your business in a more traditional direction. There is a lot of opportunity for diversification.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative GEXP Accelerator Program Global Wired Advisors Life After Business Podcast

About Chris:

Chris Shipferling is a Founder, Managing Partner and Head of Business Development for Global Wired Advisors. Chris began his career 15 years ago in consumer product sales and has held various Sales and Digital Marketing Executive roles at companies ranging in size from $20 to $300 million. Since 2013 Chris has focused on high level consulting for multi-million dollar omnichannel, digitally native, and Amazon-based private label and re-seller brands. Chris is adept at both Vendor Central and Seller Central Amazon businesses and that experience is why Chris has come on board with Global Wired Advisors. Chris brings rich multi-channel digital expertise, helping both sellers and buyers reach their full potential by maximizing sales on their native platform before and after the sale. Whether entering or exiting the internet space, we seek to make that transition as profitable as possible for both sides.

About Jason:

Jason is one of the Founders and Managing Partners of Global Wired Advisors. Jason began his career in investment banking almost 20 years ago and spent the first ten years of his professional life executing capital markets transactions for Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. After completing hundreds of transactions with a total value of over $150 Billion, he became a serial entrepreneur. For the next seven years, he bought, built and sold small and medium-sized online and traditional businesses. In 2016, he started Global Wired Advisors with Joe Hogg, Chris Bodnar, and Chris Shipferling so that, together, they could use their depth of capital markets, mergers

My guests today are Chris Shipferling and Jason Somerville both of Global Wired Advisors. Chris and Jason have a combined background in merger and acquisitions and digital marketing. Global Wired Advisors specializes in e-commerce businesses looking to diversify into traditional marketplaces. Chris and Jason tell me how they take their experience, that usually is used for huge, monstrous companies and make it accessible to the lower end of the multi-million level companies. They share some examples they have seen within their business and the opportunities that many businesses seem to be overlooking. Including traditional brick and mortar businesses making their brand available to the online market path.

What you will learn:

Chris and Jason’s backgrounds and meeting a need for their clients.

The more choices you offer, the more value you can provide a buyer.

How Global Wired Advisors is different from traditional M&A.

The hit and miss nature of the e-commerce space.

The change in thinking within the market regarding risk-pricing.

How the market, in general, is evolving.

The various strategies to diversify your business.

The 3 keys buyers look at when considering purchasing your business.

The importance of educating yourself before selling.

Jason and Chris’s process when they start with a new client.

Things you can do to prepare your business for diversification.

Takeaways:

If you are a brick and mortar business call someone like Quiet Light Brokerage, or Global Wired Advisors and discuss your options. The online space is a cheaper option that won't last for long. If you are on the flip side on the online e-commerce side then start taking your business in a more traditional direction. There is a lot of opportunity for diversification.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative GEXP Accelerator Program Global Wired Advisors Life After Business Podcast

About Chris:

Chris Shipferling is a Founder, Managing Partner and Head of Business Development for Global Wired Advisors. Chris began his career 15 years ago in consumer product sales and has held various Sales and Digital Marketing Executive roles at companies ranging in size from $20 to $300 million. Since 2013 Chris has focused on high level consulting for multi-million dollar omnichannel, digitally native, and Amazon-based private label and re-seller brands. Chris is adept at both Vendor Central and Seller Central Amazon businesses and that experience is why Chris has come on board with Global Wired Advisors. Chris brings rich multi-channel digital expertise, helping both sellers and buyers reach their full potential by maximizing sales on their native platform before and after the sale. Whether entering or exiting the internet space, we seek to make that transition as profitable as possible for both sides.

About Jason:

Jason is one of the Founders and Managing Partners of Global Wired Advisors. Jason began his career in investment banking almost 20 years ago and spent the first ten years of his professional life executing capital markets transactions for Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. After completing hundreds of transactions with a total value of over $150 Billion, he became a serial entrepreneur. For the next seven years, he bought, built and sold small and medium-sized online and traditional businesses. In 2016, he started Global Wired Advisors with Joe Hogg, Chris Bodnar, and Chris Shipferling so that, together, they could use their depth of capital markets, mergers

Ben Vandenwymelenberg (VW), is the founder of Woodchuck USA and the author of The World Needs Your F*cking Ideas. Woodchuck USA specializes in wood products that can be presented as unique gifts. Items like customized wood paneling, journals, and other stationery are getting people’s attention because of the Buy One, Plant One program. The Buy One, Plant One program is the driving mission of Woodchuck USA. When a customer buys a Woodchuck USA product, Ben and his team plant a tree somewhere in the world. It is a business with a purpose and the future of a millennial driven economy. Ben tells me what inspired his book and why he thinks more people need to “release their inner entrepreneur.”

What you will learn:

How Woodchuck USA began.

The products and services provided by Woodchuck USA.

Woodchuck USA’s social mission.

The Buy One, Plant One program.

Why the Buy One, Plant One program works.

Finding the “why” in your company mission.

Agreeing on a collective why company-wide.

Why Ben believes social capitalism is the future of business.

The 3 misconceptions Ben found when writing his book.

How to release your inner entrepreneur and make a difference.

Why you need employees who share your why.

The concept of a Conscious Circle and how changing it can make all the difference.

Takeaways:

Does your company have a “why?” You should! Having a mission in your company adds value and profit to your company’s bottom line and reputation. Social capitalism is the future of business and essential for reaching the millennial consumer.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative GEXP Accelerator Program Ben’s website Woodchuck USA The World Needs Your F*cking Ideas: How to Start a Business That Will Save Our Universe by Ben VW Conscious Capitalism, With a New Preface by the Authors: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business by John Mackey

About Ben:

Ben Vandenwymelenberg (VW) made his first wooden phone case in college. That unique item soon grew into a successful business that created creative wood products and a passionate mission. Ben and his team wanted to create American jobs and encourage a love of nature. Woodchuck USA’s Buy One, Plant One program has done just that. To date, Woodchuck has planted over 2 million trees worldwide and has become a flag carrier for the social capitalism movement.

Ben Vandenwymelenberg (VW), is the founder of Woodchuck USA and the author of The World Needs Your F*cking Ideas. Woodchuck USA specializes in wood products that can be presented as unique gifts. Items like customized wood paneling, journals, and other stationery are getting people’s attention because of the Buy One, Plant One program. The Buy One, Plant One program is the driving mission of Woodchuck USA. When a customer buys a Woodchuck USA product, Ben and his team plant a tree somewhere in the world. It is a business with a purpose and the future of a millennial driven economy. Ben tells me what inspired his book and why he thinks more people need to “release their inner entrepreneur.”

What you will learn:

How Woodchuck USA began.

The products and services provided by Woodchuck USA.

Woodchuck USA’s social mission.

The Buy One, Plant One program.

Why the Buy One, Plant One program works.

Finding the “why” in your company mission.

Agreeing on a collective why company-wide.

Why Ben believes social capitalism is the future of business.

The 3 misconceptions Ben found when writing his book.

How to release your inner entrepreneur and make a difference.

Why you need employees who share your why.

The concept of a Conscious Circle and how changing it can make all the difference.

Takeaways:

Does your company have a “why?” You should! Having a mission in your company adds value and profit to your company’s bottom line and reputation. Social capitalism is the future of business and essential for reaching the millennial consumer.

Links and Resources:

GEXP Collaborative GEXP Accelerator Program Ben’s website Woodchuck USA The World Needs Your F*cking Ideas: How to Start a Business That Will Save Our Universe by Ben VW Conscious Capitalism, With a New Preface by the Authors: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business by John Mackey

About Ben:

Ben Vandenwymelenberg (VW) made his first wooden phone case in college. That unique item soon grew into a successful business that created creative wood products and a passionate mission. Ben and his team wanted to create American jobs and encourage a love of nature. Woodchuck USA’s Buy One, Plant One program has done just that. To date, Woodchuck has planted over 2 million trees worldwide and has become a flag carrier for the social capitalism movement.